During lockdown, not only were 'nuclear' families – mum, dad and the kids – forced to stay in their bubble, but in many cases extended family members such as grandparents had to join them for their own safety and wellbeing.
This made us all think about how well our homes are suited to changing needs and lifestyles, and what we could do to make them more versatile and adaptable.
Those of us who have had to work from home for the first time in 2020 have become only too aware of our homes' limitations as a work space. As a result, many rooms, garages and outbuildings have been transformed into home offices or workshops – with varying degrees of success.
The risk of catching Covid-19 and greater awareness of our immediate environment has increased our appreciation of light, warmth, ventilation, air quality and ambience inside our homes as well as a stronger connection with the natural world outside.
This has boosted demand in the home improvement industry for skylights, ventilators, natural products, indoor plants, heatpumps, indoor-outdoor flow, decks and patios, outdoor furniture and landscaping.
Neuroaesthetics is a field of study that explores the impact aesthetics have on the human brain and behaviour. Architects and interior designers have been experimenting with a new approach to design using colour, materials, light and sound to better engage the senses and enhance our wellbeing. The image at right is the Transformative Room at A Place for Being sponsored by Google at the 2019 Milan Design Week and designed to help people realise that they can improve their own health and wellbeing with simple changes in the home.
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